Robertson looking for history to repeat itself

INVERNESS: Caley Thistle turn to face from the past in bid to bounce back from relegation

A familiar face will spearhead a new era for Caley Thistle in the Scottish Championship.

John Robertson’s managerial return to Inverness was confirmed yesterday, ending chairman Willie Finlayson’s two-and-a-half week search for a successor to the sacked Richie Foran.

The appointment is sure to have caught many by surprise, 13 years after Robertson ended his first spell at Caledonian Stadium to join Hearts.

Five years have passed since he left his most recent management job, at East Fife.

Robertson’s efforts will immediately turn to repeating the feat he pulled off in 2004 when he led Inverness to the top flight for the first time in their history by winning the First Division title after inheriting a thriving side on the brink of bigger things from Steve Paterson.

Morale is lower this time around, following the club’s relegation from the Premiership.

However, expectations have risen, given Caley Thistle’s lengthy stay among Scotland’s elite.

Robertson knows there are a busy few weeks in store, with only 12 players signed up ahead of his first game – against Brechin City in the Betfred League Cup on July 15.

Robertson sees encouraging signs, however, ahead of his drive to emulate his achievement of 13 years ago.

He said: “The challenge is the same in that we’re in the Championship and we want to get to the Premiership. That was the aim then and the aim now.

“I can draw parallels in respect of the team. Looking back to the 2004 team, which I’m not a great believer in doing, for Bobby Mann look at Gary Warren.

“For the likes of Russell Duncan, look at Ross Draper.

“For Stuart Golabek, look at Carl Tremarco. For Barry Wilson, look at Aaron Doran.

“There are so many parallels in players who have similar attitudes, similar styles – and, hopefully, we can get similar results.

“We need to add quality to the team, we know that. We need to add a physical and athletic presence to the team probably as well.

“But what I will say is the players who will come here will add to the squad and will be ready to go.

“They will have to be. It is a long season.

“There will be lots of games and we have to find a squad of players capable of that.”

Inverness have opted not to enter a team in the Development League, with the future of U20 coach Duncan Shearer still to be resolved.

Nevertheless, Robertson is hoping youth will have a prominent role to play in his first-team plans.

He added: “We have seven youth players in our squad who will be given every opportunity as well.

“One of the key successes of the past has been having a small core of homebased players. In an ideal scenario, we can look forward to that in the future as well.

“But that will never exclude us from looking everywhere for the right type of player.

“If you look at the guys who have come here – Owain Fon Williams on the Wales bench in midweek against Serbia, the likes of David Raven, Marley Watkins, Adam Rooney and Jonny Hayes – it is fantastic.

“There’s always that aspect where you dig up people like the Shinnie brothers, Ryan Christie and Nick Ross – hugely influential in the local persona.

“We want the long-term aspect. People look at Inverness in the Highlands as an isolated place and it can be in the football world but I think that’s an advantage for the local kids and community.

“We have the first look at them and the first go at them.”

We have seven youth players in our squad who will be given every opportunity. JOHN ROBERTSON

Picture: SNS. John Robertson is the new ICT manager.